Jesse James vs. Robert Ford: Did the coward who shot Mr. Howard get what he deserved?

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  • čas přidán 22. 11. 2022
  • What a bizarre, grotesquely domestic ending to one of the most legendary outlaws of the American West. Robert Ford was in cahoots with his brother Charlie and another gang member of the James Gang, Dick Liddil who killed Jesse's cousin Wood Hite and quickly buried him, turned himself in and ratted out the gang. When Jesse saw Liddil's name in the newspaper, he smelled a rat and Ford allegedly killed his hero before James could kill him. We will attempt to make sense of all this.
    Bob Boze Bell is known as America's Western Storyteller. He is an artist, author, writer and serves as executive editor of True West magazine. Bell is a popular, sought-after figure in television documentaries about the Old West, appearing as an expert in dozens of Wild West history shows. Bell won an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of the PBS special, Outrageous Arizona, a zany look at the state's centennial, that he also wrote and helped direct. As an author, Bell has brought to life Billy the Kid, Geronimo, Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and Wild Bill Hickok in his best-selling Illustrated Life and Times series. His books Classic Gunfights I, II and III are must-reads about the most important Old West gunfights. Bell’s Bad Men is now in its fourth printing, while his illustrated autobiography, The 66 Kid: Raised on the Mother Road, gives personal insight into the passions that have driven him on his lifelong quest to interpret the history of the American West for audiences around the world.
    🖥️ Visit our website: truewestmagazine.com/
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Komentáře • 121

  • @louislamboley9167
    @louislamboley9167 Před rokem +33

    The Long Riders was good. But yes , this latest version with Pitt was very good. There was a tense atmosphere the whole movie no matter what they were doing. Even eating dinner gave you an on the edge feeling. All the acting was excellent. Each character seemed very realistic.

  • @GoogleJedi
    @GoogleJedi Před měsícem +1

    Dude… I’ve got to tell you… I LOVE your videos… You make these old stories and characters absolutely come alive… Your enthusiasm comes through with every story and makes ME love these old west stories…

  • @scottohta2192
    @scottohta2192 Před rokem +7

    I felt the same way when I saw the movie. I also think that Brad Pitt did a masterful job portraying Jesse James as a scary criminal.

  • @scottyarthuraustralia7567

    Great, thanks Mr Bell.

  • @SmokeRingsPipeDreams
    @SmokeRingsPipeDreams Před rokem +12

    Thing is, that song kind of makes me emotional etc, ... but on the other hand, Jesse James murdered innocent people. He wasn't a good guy by any means even though he has been celebrated in song and movies as such. I often wonder how the brothers, sisters, parents and widows of the innocent men the James gang killed felt about the James gang and all of the hero worship they've received.

  • @richardadesmond
    @richardadesmond Před 7 měsíci +4

    Thank you for the history lesson. The assassination of Jesse James is one of my favourite films of all time. Superb acting, cinematography, underlying message, and like you said, Affleck was robbed at the Oscars, his best of all time IMO. Didn't decendants of Jesse say how accurate the film was?

  • @THINKincessantly
    @THINKincessantly Před rokem +5

    That movie is a top 5 all time for me....Right up there with Gangs of New York, There will be blood, Das Boot, and a few others--Brad Pitt did Jesse right from my modern perspective...But the surrounding cast all deserved awards I thought

  • @ccwalkowicz3
    @ccwalkowicz3 Před rokem +10

    BBB's "storytime" is always informative and entertaining. 🙂

  • @thecamocowboyoutdoors5693

    I was a extra in that movie. Really interesting to be there and see the way it was put together. A great experience for sure.

    • @bikerguy5829
      @bikerguy5829 Před rokem

      sure you were lol

    • @tonywords6713
      @tonywords6713 Před 10 měsíci

      ​@@bikerguy5829? Not hard to believe. Adam from YMS was an extra they needed tons up in Canada.

    • @danielblackburn1241
      @danielblackburn1241 Před 9 měsíci

      @@bikerguy5829 why ? Must of been plenty of extras

    • @dks13827
      @dks13827 Před 6 měsíci

      Cool. Did you get paid ?

  • @vilstef6988
    @vilstef6988 Před rokem +7

    The Long Riders is a terrific film and the soundtrack was written by Ry Cooder. It's very listenable by itself.

    • @bikerguy5829
      @bikerguy5829 Před rokem +1

      Long Riders had many false scenes in it

  • @jy285
    @jy285 Před rokem +2

    The movie is my #1 favourite. I can’t give it enough praise. I wasn’t particularly interested in the history until I saw the film. Great video. Thanks for the work.

  • @roadkingrider6532
    @roadkingrider6532 Před rokem +5

    Yes living here in James’ old stomping grounds and knowing the history inside and out, it’s a excellent movie. One of my favorite movies.

  • @MCOult
    @MCOult Před rokem +16

    Bob,
    Thanks for another wonderful video!
    You praised the movie "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" at the end of the program. I'm in total agreement! It's one of my favorites. (Pitt and Affleck both deserved Oscar nominations.)
    I've probably seen just about every Jesse James movie ever made (I'm well into my 70s), and none comes close to the Pitt/Affleck film or the Ron Hansen novel on which it is based.
    I have a question: At the beginning of the film (and in the novel, if memory serves), the narrator tells us that Jesse was missing the nub of a finger on his left hand -- and that he had a condition known as "granulated eyes" (which, although Pitt's Jesse doesn't blink much) "...caused him to blink more than usual". Many sources corroborate the "granulated eyes" story.
    I have found multiple sources which claim he DID lose a finger (or a large part of it), but sources differ as to which finger. Can you shed any light on the missing finger claims?
    -- Old Matt

    • @kbchaffin53
      @kbchaffin53 Před 10 měsíci +1

      The most common self-inflicted injury for people practicing the two-handed "combat stance" fast draw is to shoot of the tip of the middle finger of the left hand. And that was precisely what jesse james was missing. He claimed he did it while cleaning his gun but my suspicion is he didn't want to explain why an innocent, guiltless citizen such as himself was practicing the fast draw. It also shows the two handed grip was popular then also because it's effective, even though the never show it in Western movies.

  • @WildwoodClaire1
    @WildwoodClaire1 Před rokem +3

    I agree with your assessment of "The Assassination of Jesse James." I too had a great deal of sympathy for Robert Ford.

  • @Houndini
    @Houndini Před rokem +3

    I find it amazing how many families, Areas has a story about James gang or Frank or Jesse stayed there.

  • @ETIKUT99
    @ETIKUT99 Před rokem +2

    Hi Bob, long overdue comment, your stories our amazing but mainly because of the way you tell them and the knowledge you have, here’s an idea for a video, your top 5 western films and why, anyway keep up the amazing work

  • @ariadneschild8460
    @ariadneschild8460 Před rokem +9

    I really like this movie, I'm so glad it's accurate bc I feel cheated when a movie based on history just makes it up as they go along. Thanks this was really informative!

  • @travishendrix7026
    @travishendrix7026 Před rokem +3

    Thank You Bob, Happy Thanksgiving

  • @stevemccoy8138
    @stevemccoy8138 Před rokem +4

    Jesse and Frank went to California one year to see their uncle Drury James, jesse was wounded and stayed in Paso Robles to heal up. Thanks for the video, Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

  • @DepWilkerson
    @DepWilkerson Před rokem +2

    I just found your channel and I love it. Western history is one of my favorites. Glad you do this. Keep up the good work

  • @stoneblue1795
    @stoneblue1795 Před rokem +4

    Well told, sir. Always a pleasure.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

  • @mmabagain
    @mmabagain Před rokem +2

    $14 per month in 1882 is equal to $409.08 per month today. And $115 equals $3,359.94. Auction wasn't too shabby.

  • @oletimer5853
    @oletimer5853 Před 10 měsíci +1

    I love your videos …. Please do one on LoneSome Dove !!! Greatest western of all time !!!

  • @billisaac9079
    @billisaac9079 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Love your stories I’m a Okie keep them coming.

  • @ToddRobinson13
    @ToddRobinson13 Před rokem +5

    Brad Pitt is from Missouri, so it was probably a movie that was a little more important to him.

  • @BuffaloBob73
    @BuffaloBob73 Před rokem +3

    To me, this movie was kind of creepy, because it immediately reminded me of the guy who shot John Lennon. He was a fan of Lennon's, and he was also a nobody who thought he would become somebody by shooting Lennon. It didn't work out for him that way, any more than it worked out for Robert Ford.

  • @reedburke7762
    @reedburke7762 Před rokem +1

    Well, now I have to get the blue ray! Another fascinating story. Thank you.

  • @RedProg
    @RedProg Před rokem +2

    Reading the book again.

  • @rainflowers1099
    @rainflowers1099 Před rokem +1

    Another great video, and that is a fantastic movie you mentioned too.

  • @ericcrawford3453
    @ericcrawford3453 Před rokem +5

    Most people I know do not like that movie but I found myself watching it 3 times because of the very reason you said, it seems to be spot onn with books I've read & bleak has it is thats probably how it went down, a very cold movie I must add alot of snow and dark. Thank you

    • @normanpearson8753
      @normanpearson8753 Před 8 měsíci +1

      And the ," He's on a journey...." as Jesse's cousin was shot . A little creepy , that line.

  • @tonywords6713
    @tonywords6713 Před 10 měsíci +2

    I love this movie, awesome that its more of a psychological thriller about existence, fate, celebrity, America, etc..

  • @joshuawaltz9484
    @joshuawaltz9484 Před rokem +2

    Hello Bob, always enjoyed your articles, videos and the true west documentaries you made appearances in.

  • @Rebelmediainc
    @Rebelmediainc Před rokem +2

    Hell ya man! You got our SUB!

  • @Bumpyi64
    @Bumpyi64 Před rokem +2

    Thank you, Sir! I was looking for a good movie to watch on this Thanksgiving of 2022!

  • @ricardodelano2205
    @ricardodelano2205 Před rokem +3

    where have you been this movie was released 2007, and how could any one felt any hate toward robert ford , he got rid of a criminal though he was one too , and dont say the war turned them that way , war have ruined many a young men over the millenniums and we have only us to blame .

  • @johnmann30
    @johnmann30 Před rokem +1

    Always enjoy your videos and your style of delivering the stories

  • @madhistory
    @madhistory Před rokem +1

    Thx ! Great Story Jss

  • @vilstef6988
    @vilstef6988 Před rokem +4

    Elton John had a song with the lyric:
    I feel like a bullet in the gun of Robert Ford
    I know what a paid assassin is
    You know I'm cold as a hired sword

  • @cslan4
    @cslan4 Před rokem +4

    That is a great movie I loved it ,very sad all around and your typical western and that's what i loved about it! (but I still love Clint Eastwood ,John Wayne ext; movies too)!

  • @nealhathaway2004
    @nealhathaway2004 Před rokem +2

    Good job!

  • @Winnie122459
    @Winnie122459 Před rokem +1

    I agree with your assessment of the movie.

  • @Telecasterluvr
    @Telecasterluvr Před rokem +1

    I would pay for more videos lol I love this channel and your storytelling

  • @ShaneReynolds0421
    @ShaneReynolds0421 Před 9 měsíci +1

    I love these 😎👍🏼

  • @scottbates7316
    @scottbates7316 Před rokem +2

    Great job Mr. Bell. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

  • @williamm7194
    @williamm7194 Před rokem +2

    Love your channel, paid subscriber also - but I’m having a hard time with your mustache being off kilter, no offense - just an observation.

  • @joeanderson9431
    @joeanderson9431 Před rokem +2

    Thank you so much for doing this

  • @festushaggen2563
    @festushaggen2563 Před rokem +1

    At the end of the day, a crook killed another crook. Neither were worthy to be remembered as anything more than that. Idolizing criminals is one of the strangest of human behaviors.

  • @HarpsichordHymnsTimRemington

    Fascinating information! I am glad to know that you feel the movie is an accurate representation. I saw the movie and was impressed by its realism and the dark, depressing lifestyle of an old west outlaw (Jesse James). Thanks for sharing this!

  • @John-ie2rt
    @John-ie2rt Před rokem +1

    Any thoughts on Wyatt Earp and The Coeur d Alenes. I read somewhere that Wyatt was fined for claim jumping near Murray Idaho 188?. I am new to your vlog and very much enjoy it. John in N. Idaho

  • @harryasstruman3101
    @harryasstruman3101 Před rokem +4

    It's my favorite movie I totally agree with you on every level. I was at the cemetery when they exhumed his body for the DNA test

    • @dks13827
      @dks13827 Před 6 měsíci +1

      how did he look ?

  • @Williamgarity
    @Williamgarity Před rokem +5

    Your assessment of the movie is spot on! Very well done flick!
    60 some years ago, while on a family vacation, my dad, a history major in college, pulled our car off the road. The sign said The House Where Jessie James Was Shot. We went inside and toured the place. Besides old memorabilia, they had a set of steps so you could, as advertised, Put Your Finger In The Hole. This was supposed to be the same hole that the killing bullet was removed from. Pretty wild stuff for a 10 year old boy! My dad reminded me, afterwards about a note on our tour that said all of the wood in the house had been replaced 2 or 3 times because of all the people who carved off a chunk of the house for a souvenir. We were both sure the bullet hole in the wall would have been an early target. My souvenir was a reprint of a Dime Magazine on the Murder of Jessie James.

    • @shooterqqqq
      @shooterqqqq Před rokem

      In the movie, the house is on a hill. Today, the house is on another location and they used the dirt of the hill to level off the streets of the town.

  • @susanmenegus5543
    @susanmenegus5543 Před rokem +2

    Rip 🌹🌹🌹 JesseJames .✝️ ♥️

  • @disgruntledpedant2755
    @disgruntledpedant2755 Před rokem +2

    Ford used a colt peacemaker, famously photographed in fords hand. Idk why the movie makes it a schofield.

    • @shooterqqqq
      @shooterqqqq Před rokem +3

      There were claims it was a Smith and Wesson but even Jesse Edward James, Jesse's son said it was a Colt.

  • @artisaprimus6306
    @artisaprimus6306 Před rokem +13

    The movie shows Jesse James as a cruel and sadistic man. That would fit his history as a bushwhacker who rode with Bloody Bill Anderson. No one who rode with him was safe. Of course, the ten thousand dollar reward would tempt anyone, especially criminals like him. A great movie worth investing the time to watch.

    • @ToddRobinson13
      @ToddRobinson13 Před rokem +1

      His history as a guerrilla fighter with Quantrill's Raiders give you the origins of the college rivalry between Mizzou & kansas.

    • @ariadneschild8460
      @ariadneschild8460 Před rokem +3

      I loved it, I've watched it more than twice lol. It's so gritty and the scenes in the hideout in the woods were great.

    • @williamm7194
      @williamm7194 Před rokem +3

      It was a different time, you need to know how his family was treated to understand why he went hard out like he did. Do a lil research.

    • @artisaprimus6306
      @artisaprimus6306 Před rokem +5

      @@williamm7194 History is my hobby, so I have done research. He was born into the war at its worst. Civilians always suffer the worst and his family certainly did. He had reason to join Quantril and Bloody Bill. He became a killer equal to them during his time as a bushwhacker. After the Civil War, he waged his own war against Allan Pinkerton and his agents. I don't judge him, but he certainly wasn't the hero Hollywood has portrayed him in many movies. This movie doesn't do that, so it's worth watching.

    • @susanmenegus5543
      @susanmenegus5543 Před rokem +1

      @@williamm7194 👍

  • @user-de8hs6ep2k
    @user-de8hs6ep2k Před rokem +2

    A thin line between famous and infamy

  • @plymouthduster225
    @plymouthduster225 Před rokem +3

    Great video, if I may ask Mr. Bell , how well do you think the movie done with the characters personalities compared to the real life people? Dick Liddell seems to be kind of a ladies man, and Bob Ford is kinda quiet and shy but yet fascinated with Jesse James, even as far as knowing what size boot Jesse wears. I was just curious how historically accurate all that was?

  • @scottnorlyn6479
    @scottnorlyn6479 Před rokem +1

    The MO Star has a different account, that was published 3 or 4 days after this event. It involves a Franklin Stove being delivered to Mr Hward.... and he took his guns off to get it thru the door - because they would be a problem.

  • @outdoorlife5396
    @outdoorlife5396 Před rokem +3

    I was watching the history channel one day, there was guy who was a retired detective, from Kanas City I think. He made a case, that James might have lived. His theory was that some one else was killed, the Knights of the Golden Circle, helped with the details. Along with the finances after the death of JJ. I was wondering had you seen this show and what are your thoughts on it. I have enjoyed your comments and books over the years

  • @RavenGent
    @RavenGent Před rokem +8

    Happy Thanksgiving, Bob!!
    Jesse James is one of my favorite outlaw I still learn about. One of my coworkers a long time ago is a cousin of Jesse James. It shocked me.
    The ballad of Jesse James is still my favorite wild west ballad, I hum it from time to time.
    I hope you do a life and times of Jesse James book as you did with the others.
    Also it was $10,000 for Jesse and Frank dead or alive, not $5,000.
    My question to Bob.. is do you think the gun that killed Jesse James still exists?

  • @Doc.Holiday
    @Doc.Holiday Před rokem +2

    What is up with those ‘Fords”?

  • @ombrom.6040
    @ombrom.6040 Před rokem +2

    It is a pretty good movie

  • @CwL-1984
    @CwL-1984 Před rokem +3

    Interesting 🤔

  • @iso_Bandit
    @iso_Bandit Před rokem +3

    Oooo boy

  • @railbart
    @railbart Před 7 měsíci +1

    I agree Brad Pitts movie is great. Loved everything about it.

  • @user-xn9ns3qy7z
    @user-xn9ns3qy7z Před 2 měsíci +1

    I have a question, Jesse never took his guns off. No one has ever seen him without them. The reasoning I have heard about the heat and the door open doesn't fly for me. Why did he take his guns off this ONE Time? Something doesn't add up. Thanks

  • @michellelewis9519
    @michellelewis9519 Před rokem +3

    I dont think rober was a coward like everybody say he was beause when jess found out that little trun himself in to the cops he would of kill him an his brother knowing something was going on but when he made a play about it was a little over to much of killing jess Jane's I think that was uncalled for

  • @brendanmcdonnell7483
    @brendanmcdonnell7483 Před rokem +1

    Was it a preemptive strike i think it was.

  • @ninohiggs6339
    @ninohiggs6339 Před dnem

    The Long Riders is the best IMO.

  • @ermano58
    @ermano58 Před rokem +2

    Jesse james son was jesse edward james his daughter was susan

  • @MegaCacholo
    @MegaCacholo Před 4 měsíci +1

    3 children.. Jesse had 3 children

  • @daveharris7734
    @daveharris7734 Před rokem +2

    Pitt was good. What happened to pat garret? He got his "reward" in the middle on the road like FORD.

  • @Tammy-un3ql
    @Tammy-un3ql Před rokem +1

    👌👌😍😍👌

  • @williamdonnelly224
    @williamdonnelly224 Před 9 měsíci +1

    He can't even get the title of the movie correct.

  • @Sheltowee1775
    @Sheltowee1775 Před rokem +2

    I love “The last days of Frank and Jesse” with Johnny Cash and Kristofferson.

  • @stevenpine1939
    @stevenpine1939 Před rokem +1

    Being a "yankee" who's mother's family was from Northfield, I see all these people as weak and cowardly. If they weren't, they'd been hard working citizens rather than thieves and murderers. Younger's, James and Ford! I do agree with that movie being probably closer to the truth!

    • @digenesakritas1107
      @digenesakritas1107 Před rokem

      You don't get it for Jesse James the Civil War never ended. Bloody Bill Anderson and Archie Clements we're his brother in arms and friends. I'm sure getting whipped as a kid and thrown salt in you wounds by Redlegs while watching your Stepfather being hanged seriously messed him up. Sure he committed terrible crimes but in his mind they were justified.

    • @stevenpine1939
      @stevenpine1939 Před rokem

      @@digenesakritas1107 Justice? Why not go after the ex- redlegs? Why rob and murder those who had nothing to do those injustices? They where CRIMINALS not heroes

  • @LizzyTexBorden
    @LizzyTexBorden Před rokem +3

    TAOJJBTCRF is like watching poetry. It has been in my Top Ten list for years.

  • @raygreen257
    @raygreen257 Před rokem +2

    brad pitt movie was good they follow the book close

  • @dks13827
    @dks13827 Před 6 měsíci +1

    No money ? Jesse was a millionaire from all of his jobs !!!!!!!!!!

    • @artmoura8322
      @artmoura8322 Před 4 měsíci

      He used it up. Also, not very many big hit jobs

  • @kbchaffin53
    @kbchaffin53 Před 10 měsíci +1

    Jesse james shot a lot of people from behind, so i can't summon a lot of sympathy for him. I think some of his fame derives from that great song about him, "Poor Jesse had a wife to mourn for his life" etc.

  • @johncrouch8988
    @johncrouch8988 Před rokem +4

    If he was really shot dead!
    There’s evidence to suggest that he lived to be a ripe old age!
    Just saying!
    But even if he was shot dead. Bob did the right thing. Wait until the killer was vulnerable and not ready and shoot him cold. It’s how the James brother’s and their gangs and the other criminals of the day treated their victims in the banks that they robbed.
    I never heard of one time them waiting patiently for someone to get their gun before shooting at them!
    Live by the sword, die by the sword! 😊

    • @shooterqqqq
      @shooterqqqq Před rokem +2

      A couple of decades ago, they dug up Jesse and did a DNA match to the relatives. Interesting note is Jesse had a wound in his chest just at the end of the Civil War. The movie claimed it was still a wound and didn't heal properly. They found a lead bullet in the vicinity of Jesse's chest area in the casket. Zee, his cousin and later wife was his nurse.

    • @johncrouch8988
      @johncrouch8988 Před rokem +2

      @@shooterqqqq it’s interesting that Jesse James attended his Regimental reunion many times “after” his death. He signed the book to show his attendance (which matched earlier copies of his signature) and had his photo taken with other members of his Regiment.
      I would have thought he would have been thrown out by his ear if he was an imposter?!?!

    • @shooterqqqq
      @shooterqqqq Před rokem +1

      @@johncrouch8988 The DNA matched. Jesse was killed by Robert Ford. The lead bullet survived long after the flesh. Jesse's other wound was half of a missing finger. He lost it during the war while "cleaning" a revolver.

    • @rebelhorse1882
      @rebelhorse1882 Před rokem +1

      @@shooterqqqq
      The story of Jesse James accidentally shooting off a finger tip only appears in one source, which was written years after his assassination. ….Sticking with the facts, the autopsy showed no interest in the fingertips of Jesse James ..

    • @shooterqqqq
      @shooterqqqq Před rokem +1

      @@rebelhorse1882 Jesse Edward James wrote there were two wounds on the right side of his chest. A wound on his leg. The absence of the tip of the middle finger on his left hand. I am saying wounds and not scars because that is how it was written.

  • @no_handle_required
    @no_handle_required Před rokem +3

    thug got killed. victimless crime.

  • @matzlindfors8987
    @matzlindfors8987 Před rokem +3

    Well its been proven that jesse wasn’t killed. He died in 1934.

    • @shooterqqqq
      @shooterqqqq Před rokem

      There is no evidence he died in 1934. There is DNA evidence and multitudes of evidence he died at the hands of Robert Ford.

  • @karlbrady5453
    @karlbrady5453 Před rokem +3

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Liddil has a photo that looks a lot like your art